The 2010 Ford Flex has a boxy outside, which makes for a superbly roomy inside. Limited trim is almost Lincoln-like.

PHOTO: Tim Yip, edmontonjournal.com

The well-bolstered seats in the Ford Flex are covered in perforated black leather.

PHOTO: Tim Yip, edmontonjournal.com

Ford Flex door sill wraps to keep out muck.

PHOTO: Tim Yip, edmontonjournal.com

Ford Flex centrestack.

PHOTO: Tim Yip, edmontonjournal.com

V-8 power and V-6 frugality a great pairing in Lincoln-like family hauler

By Tim Yip, Canwest News Service

Originally published: March 22, 2010

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The Ford Flex, based on the Taurus platform, gets upgraded for 2010 with a powerful new 355-horsepower EcoBoost twin-turbo 3.5-litre V-6 engine.

Apart from the nice bump in power, the Ford Flex continues to stand out as a vehicle that projects bold style like a sharply tailored Armani suit.

Its square-edged, Bauhaus-esque design esthetic is decidedly country-club chic, and the CUV is stylistically heads and shoulders above most of the competition. The edgy style may not appeal to all, but those who attended the SEMA convention in Las Vegas last November said the Flex was popular among custom accessory suppliers, and when the custom car guys think a car’s cool, it’s cool.

The interior of the Flex is so luxurious it ought to be sold as a Lincoln. The seats (front buckets, second-row captain’s chairs, and third-row bench) are covered in perforated black leather, with contrasting white stitches. Our Flex had heated front and second-row seats. Plastic materials on the dash and doors are soft to the touch and have a quality feel. The instrument panel is legible, and the centrestack is outstanding. Fitted with a large multi-purpose screen (for GPS, backup camera, audio and HVAC controls), it’s easy to read, and learning its many functions is quick and painless.

Bright Think is alive and well at Ford, as made evident by the array of convenience features loaded into our top-of-the-line Limited tester, such as: power adjustable brake/ accelerator pedals; a driver’s seat that automatically slides rearward when removing the key; a capless fuel filler (no more handling smelly gas caps!); power flip-back second-row seats to access the third-row bench; doors that wrap under the sills, keeping them clean of muck; and windshield wipers that sweep three times, pause, and wipe once more to clear away the inevitable drips.

Our Flex had the Active Parking Assist option. “Automated” parking is a technology I’ve decried as an aid for the incompetent, but after using Ford’s system, I’m a believer. The short story on how APA works is the driver controls the gas and brakes; APA does the rest (determining if the car will fit the space and controlling the steering wheel.) The automated system cranks the steering wheel faster than any driver does, and sensors allow the car to cut in tighter than most drivers will. It works.

Driving the Flex is a revelation. Designated as a full-sized CUV, it has about the same overall length as class competitors Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Tahoe, but I found the Flex easier to drive in traffic. Its broad, square hood clearly shows the front corners of the vehicle, and reversing is painless thanks to an outstanding back-up camera and viewing screen.

Despite the massive 20-inch optional wheel package, the Flex’s ride strikes the perfect balance between luxury and fine driving dynamics, with the emphasis on luxury. Power from the twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 is stout, and acceleration is remarkable. Turbo lag is nonexistent, and a quick jab of the throttle yields instant thrust via a smooth, quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. Compared with its competitors (such as the Enclave, Mazda CX-9, Mercedes-Benz R350 4Matic, Volvo XC70 T6 AWD — all priced in the $55,000 range), the Flex is the hot-rod of the group and will trounce any class challengers like a V-8 Mustang blowing off a Toyota Corolla.

Complaints about the Flex are few. This is the only car I’ve tested in the past year that does not have a gear indicator on the instrument panel. It’s awkward exiting the third-row seat. Only the driver’s window is express up/down. Finally, our demo suffered from two annoying rattles — one from a second-row sunshade clip (which should be fixable at the dealer); a second one emanating from the rear-view mirror, which is secured by a spring too weak to stop the mirror from bouncing.

Overall, the Ford Flex Limited AWD is impressive. It has the most power in its class, coddles occupants in Lincoln-level luxury, its 12-speaker Sony OEM audio system is one of the best I’ve heard, and the Flex surprises with thoughtful features for the price. Add to that its satisfying driving dynamics, near top-of-class fuel economy and a trailer towing capacity (2,041 kg) greater than any of the previously mentioned CUVs, and the Flex Limited AWD is a top pick in the full-sized CUV segment.